Running: What a Journey! - Boston 2006 Race Report

Monday, May 01, 2006 - 05:19 PM

What a Journey!

As we were driving out to the start line in Hopkinton (26.2 miles from the finish line) our bus driver got lost. A fellow seated beside me said why worry when we had 3 hours to spare. Which I totally agreed with. Some others on the bus began to panic and were trying to give the bus driver directions. It didn't really help until we asked the driver to pull over and ask someone for directions. We ended up getting to the athlete's village 2 1/2 hours before the start of the marathon. I was able to have some food and relax before the gun sounded.

To start in a wave with 10,000 people was awesome! I was taking pictures at every opportunity. We started right at noon and where I was situated we didn't get to the start line for 4 minutes. As we began running there were spectators from start to finish. The kids were great and I know I used up some energy giving high fives. I even stopped to take some pictures and even had spectators take a few of me with my camera. I was feeling real good and my times were a little faster than I thought they should be.........Was I going to pay for it later on?

The spectators yelling out our names and even at one point I even heard a scream 'Go Bombers Go'. I had to turn around and give the guy a thumbs up. Now I was approaching the famous 'Heartbreak Hill'. Was it do or die...........whoo, I made it and saw the live band at the top. Good rock n roll music I must add. I approached a fellow who was walking. I slowed down to walk with him and asked if he was ok.........He said that he was pulling out of the marathon.

I don't like to see fellow runners quit when they are that close to the finish. Also, all the training we have done to qualify for Boston. I asked him if I would walk with him would he continue. Well we walked the last five kilometers and we exchanged some stories unrelated to running. He wanted to run the last hundred yards so we ran in together smiling for the camera's, etc.....ouch! ouch! Since we had purchased the DVD, we must look good for those camera's......lol.

I must admit I went out of the gate too fast and I was too 'ENTHUSIASTIC'. But by far it was the best experience I had in a marathon. It was almost a perfect date with Boston. I'm sure she would invite me back to improve my time.

I WOULD DO IT ALL OVER AGAIN..............

take care, I look forward to meeting you again next year

Ray ((-:

PS: I plan to run a marathon in June with a friend who also would like to qualify for Boston. I shall head back to Boston in 2007 to better my performance.

PPS: I have received an email from the gentleman. He has thanked me for talking him back into the Race.